Regulation 18B

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the Home Office internal history of Regulation 18B by C D Carew-Robinson (HO 45/25754/86300).

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The Home Office internal history of Regulation 18B by C D Carew-Robinson is available for inspection free of charge at the Public Record Office, Kew. The PRO has no plans, at present, to publish it.

Regulation 18B

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What official records exist regarding the history and operation of Regulation 18B under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: Two hundred and fifty one records relating to the history and operation of Regulation 18B under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939 have been preserved at the Public Record Office, Kew. Most of them are open to public inspection. The majority of these records can be found within the HO 45 series, but more information about them can be found in the Public Record Office online catalogue at http://catalogue.pro.gov.uk/.

Government Bills: Human Rights Compatibility Statement

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they will not disclose their reasons for their views on compatibility statements under Section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer that I gave to him on 22 January 2002, Official Report, WA 193. In future, the Explanatory Notes on government Bills will identify the most significant convention issues thought to arise from the provisions, together with the Minister's conclusions on compatibility. This is a new procedure to help each House and the Joint Committee in their debates on the human rights aspects of government Bills.
	Such notes will not reveal the legal advice behind a Minister's conclusions, or the precise assessment of arguments for and against the conclusion. In this field, as more generally, legal advice remains confidential. Within that constraint, Ministers should be as forthcoming as they can during debate on the Bill.

Census Internet Site

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the original contract with QinetiQ to produce a census Internet site was delivered on time.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The contract between the Public Record Office and QinetiQ Ltd gives the latter the responsibility for the technical aspects of the 1901 online census service. The online service went live on 2 January 2002 on time. However, because of the unprecedented demand for the service, it was temporarily closed to general Internet access on 7 January, to enable enhancements to be carried out.

Census Internet Site

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many other firms tendered for the QinetiQ contract relating to the 1901 census.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: Thirty organisations expressed interest in the contract and a full tender exercise was undertaken. Four organisations were shortlisted to produce a full submission. Of those four, one could not commit to making the 1901 census available online by 2 January 2002 and another withdrew, which left two organisations to provide full submissions.

Criminal Justice System Business Plan

Baroness David: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to publish the criminal justice system business plan for 2002–03.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: My right honourable friend the Home Secretary, my noble and learned friend the Attorney-General and I published jointly a business plan for the criminal justice system for England and Wales on 14 February 2002. The plan describes the priorities for the coming year which the Government expect the criminal justice system as a whole to work to deliver. Copies of the plan have been placed in the Library of the House.

Zimbabwe: Presidential Election

Baroness Ludford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they are exerting pressure on Zimbabwe to hold a free and fair presidential election later this year.

Baroness Amos: We are working with our EU partners, and others in the international community, to ensure the widest possible range of independent observers are present in the run-up to, and during, the forthcoming presidential elections.
	On 28 January the EU decided to impose targeted sanctions on senior members of the Government of Zimbabwe if they prevent the deployment of an EU election observation mission; or if they later prevent the mission operating effectively; they prevent the international media having free access to cover the election; there is a serious deterioration on the ground, in terms of a worsening of the human rights situation or attacks on the opposition; or the election is assessed as not being free and fair.
	Four EU representatives are now setting up the observation mission in Zimbabwe. Team leader, Pierre Schori arrived on 10 February. We expect the advance party of 30 observers to arrive by the end of the week.
	In addition, we have strongly supported efforts to ensure access for an election observation team from the Commonwealth. On 30 January the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) called on the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that there is an immediate end to violence and intimidation; that all parties in the election be allowed to campaign freely; and that the people of Zimbabwe are able to make an unfettered and informed choice in the elections.
	An advance Commonwealth Secretariat team arrived in Zimbabwe on 4 February. A team of observers is expected to follow in the near future.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the answer by the Lord Grocott on 30 January (HL Deb, col. 214), whether the High Commissioner, Mr David Merry, has visited the bushmen of the Central Kalahari in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and on what date; and, if he has not, whether they will explain Lord Grocott's statement on 30 January.

Baroness Amos: Our High Commissioner has not visited the Central Kalahari Game Reserve itself. As Lord Grocott made clear in his answer on 30 January, our High Commissioner did visit the area surrounding the reserve from 9–12 December 2001. The specific area which he visited was the Ghanzi district, which lies just outside the reserve. The High Commissioner visited three areas where the Bushmen have been resettled. The visit was part of the High Commissioner's familiarisation programme in Botswana. A visit to the reserve itself will take place as soon as it can be arranged.

Commonwealth Games: Policing

Lord Smith of Leigh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they intend to contribute towards the cost of policing the Manchester Commonwealth Games to ensure that there is neither a large increase in the precept of Greater Manchester Police Authority nor a reduction in policing throughout the conurbation.

Lord Rooker: On 30 January it was announced that my right honourable friend the Home Secretary had approved a special grant of £3 million to Greater Manchester Police Authority as a contribution to the additional costs of policing the Commonwealth Games.
	We have asked officials, with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, to look closely at the question of additional costs of policing the games. On the basis of their further assessment my right honourable friend the Home Secretary will consider to what extent, if any, he is prepared to make any further grant to the Greater Manchester Police Authority.

Community Safety Schemes

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consultations have taken place between the Home Office and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on whether the deployment of community support officers, as provided for in Part 4 of the Police Reform Bill, may be augmented under the proposed scheme for business improvement districts, as described in paragraphs 7.15 to 7.35 of Cm 5237, Strong Local Leadership-Quality Public Services.

Lord Rooker: Business improvement district (BID) schemes in the United States of America and existing partnership schemes in England have been used to fund community warden schemes, and BID schemes, once agreed, could be used to fund this type of activity and the provision of community support officers or wardens accredited with limited powers as part of a community safety accreditation scheme. However, it will be for individual areas to decide that BID schemes, if any, will be established. There are regular discussions between the two departments on the development of warden schemes.

Fingerprint Identification

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What standards are prescribed for fingerprint identification to be used in evidence in criminal trials.

Lord Rooker: The current standard prescribed for fingerprint identification is the non-numerical system which was introduced from 11 June 2001. This was after extensive consultation with the Lord Chancellor, the Attorney-General and other criminal justice system stakeholders.
	Although there is no set numerical standard to be satisfied before experts make a decision that a mark or impression left at a crime scene and a fingerprint were made by the same person, there are objective criteria which must be satisfied and must be capable of demonstration, eg in a court, before any such decision is made. There are also prescribed verification procedures which must be adhered to at all times before that decision is communicated to an investigating police officer and eventually to the courts.

Fingerprint Identification

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What qualifications are prescribed for individuals to become fingerprint examiners for the purpose of giving evidence of identity in criminal trials.

Lord Rooker: All fingerprint experts commence their training with a foundation course of four weeks. They then need to complete five modules which should normally be completed within 12 to 18 months and are followed by a short assessment. Twelve months later, after a consolidation of skills and work experience on the job, they attend a two-week advanced course in which the emphasis is on court presentation and preparation of evidence. Even after the advanced course has been passed successfully, which is usually not less than three years after entering the training programme, the person will be permitted to attend court to give expert testimony only with the approval of their head of fingerprint bureau and chief constable.

Fingerprint Identification

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that the determination that a fingerprint examiner makes when comparing a latent fingerprint with a known fingerprint for the purpose of establishing identity in criminal proceedings is a subjective determination in that no objective standard has been scientifically tested and no subjective process has been objectively tested; and, if not, what is the objective standard that is applied.

Lord Rooker: In determining whether or not a latent mark or impression left at a crime scene and a fingerprint have been made by the same person, a fingerprint examiner must apply set criteria in carrying out their comparison. The criteria are objective and can be tested and verified by other experts. It is the method which is of universal application by practitioners on behalf of either prosecution or defence, and has been in use from the first application of fingerprint/mark identification. Once the first fingerprint examiner has reached a conclusion that the mark or impression at the crime scene and a fingerprint have been made by the same person, that decision is subject to verification by two other fingerprint experts before the investigating officer is informed of the result. Any identification evidence presented in court will have been subject to these procedures.
	Instructing solicitors or barristers representing defendants can and regularly do ask that finger identification evidence be subjected to scrutiny by nominated fingerprint experts from outside the Police Service. Details of those experts can be obtained from registers maintained by the Law Society, the Expert Witness Institute or through the services of private companies who undertake independent forensic examinations. This is an external examination of Police Service practice and procedures which has been on going for many years.

Seat Belts

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 4 February (HL Deb, col. 459), what further action is taking place in relation to enforcement of the law relating to the wearing of rear seat belts.

Lord Rooker: We share the view of the Association of Chief Police Officers that the enforcement of the law relating to seat belts is an important element in reducing casualties on the road. In 2000, the police in England and Wales issued 155,000 fixed penalty notices and over 6,000 formal warnings for seat belt related offences and there were 5,740 prosecutions. In addition, some police forces, such as Lancashire, have run campaigns specifically aimed at promoting rear seat belt wearing and use of child restraints.

Immigration Laws: Children's Rights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they agree with the concluding observations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child of 15 February 1995 that the United Kingdom reservation to the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child relating to United Kingdom nationality and immigration laws is incompatible with the object and purpose of that convention.

Lord Rooker: We noted and responded to the concerns stated by the committee in the Second Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child by the United Kingdom, published in August 1999.
	We remain convinced that the reservation is necessary in the interests of an effective immigration control. It would not be right for the Immigration Rules to be utilised simply in order to make use of convention rights when there already exists in United Kingdom law comprehensive provision for the care and protection of children. This applies in full to children who have been recognised as refugees and those whose asylum claims have yet to be determined.

Immigration Laws: Children's Rights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will respond to the concluding observations of the United Nations Committee on the rights of the child of 15 February 1995 (paragraph 7) and withdraw the reservation made on behalf of the United Kingdom to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Lord Rooker: We noted and responded to the concerns stated by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child when we published the Second Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child by the United Kingdom in August 1999. This report also gave information about the comprehensive safeguards in place to ensure the welfare of unaccompanied asylum seeking children. No child in the United Kingdom is deprived of UN rights but entry to the United Kingdom solely to claim such rights is not permitted.
	There are no current plans to withdraw the reservation, which we are convinced remains necessary in order to maintain an effective immigration control.

Aggregates Levy

The Earl of Shrewsbury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will exclude quarry waste and scalpings from being taxable under the soon-to-be implemented aggregates levy.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: As announced in the Pre-Budget Report, in consultation with the aggregates industry, the Government are examining proposals to deliver additional environmental benefits through the aggregates levy by encouraging the positive use of aggregates waste.

Private Finance Initiatives

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will review all private finance initiatives that have been agreed and are now operating to assess their impact on (a) staff to be employed and (b) users of the services to be provided.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: All aspects of PPP/PFI policy are kept under regular review. In particular, the Government attach great importance to issues which affect staff. It is the responsibility of individual departments to ensure that all procurement projects deliver the services specified in the contract and that treatment of staff who have been transferred from the public sector is in line with Cabinet Office guidance, Staff Transfers from Central Government—a Fair Deal for staff published in January 2000. Departments must also ensure that services continue to meet their business requirements and their responsibilities to all stakeholders, including the users of services provided under PPP/PFI.

Trident

Lord Lea of Crondall: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What technical programme the Ministry of Defence conducts to assure the safety and serviceability of the Trident warhead in the absence of nuclear testing.

Lord Bach: The Government attach great importance to maintaining the safety and serviceability of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons. The Strategic Defence Review in 1998 confirmed the need for a robust capability to underwrite the safety and reliability of Trident in the absence of nuclear testing. A scientific methodology is being developed to continue to give this assurance with high confidence. A detailed technical review of the scientific methodology behind this programme will be published shortly in a major scientific journal.
	To ensure that we continue to be confident of the safety and reliability of our nuclear weapons, it is essential to understand the properties of warhead materials such as high explosive and plutonium under a very wide range of physical conditions and how these properties change with age. Confidence in the safety and performance of Trident is based ultimately on predictions from high fidelity numerical models run on supercomputers. The Atomic Weapons Establishment has recently announced a major investment in a new supercomputer that will substantially upgrade its capability. However, experimental studies are still essential to validate the computational models and improve understanding of basic theory. As a continuing part of this programme the UK will shortly collaborate with the US in conducting a plutonium hydrodynamic experiment at their U1A facility in Nevada. This experiment will not produce nuclear yield and will be fully consistent with our obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Historical nuclear test data and information from the forensic examination of warheads withdrawn from the stockpile provide further information for the process.

Chinook ZD576 Report

Lord Chalfont: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 11 February (WA 125), whether they expect to respond to the Select Committee Report on the Chinook ZD576 before the Easter Recess.

Lord Bach: Work is already under way to consider the findings of the Select Committee's report. It is too early to know how long this will take but I would not expect that a full written response could be made until after the Easter Recess.

Military Deployment

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the average tour interval is taken into account, whether the figures include regiments and battalions which may have had single squadrons and companies deployed away from their parent units for three months or more.

Lord Bach: I assume that by referring to regiments and battalions the noble Lord is inquiring about the average tour intervals of the Royal Armoured Corps and the infantry, which do take account of single squadrons and companies deployed away from their parent units for over three months.

Gulf War Veterans

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the death on 23 January of ex-Petty Officer Nigel Thompson, a Gulf War veteran who died of motor neurone disease, and the recent finding that Gulf War veterans in the United States are twice as likely as members of the general population to have the disease, Nigel Thompson's claim for recognition of his illness as war-related is now being reconsidered.

Lord Bach: Mr Thompson was a man of immense courage, humanity and great cheerfulness in the face of considerable adversity. Our thoughts are with his widow, family and friends. The Government are aware of the recent US government announcement regarding the prevalence of motor neurone disease in US veterans of the Gulf conflict which followed preliminary evidence from a comparative study. The researcher's findings have yet to be published in peer-reviewed scientific literature: when they are, we will consider carefully their implications for UK Gulf veterans.

Gulf War Veterans

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following the publication of the Gulf veterans' mortality figures as at 31 December 2001, whether the composition of the two groups compared matched in terms of age, service and gender; and why the number who have died due to external injury or poisoning, including suicides, and all aspects of travel, is much higher among Gulf War veterans than the control group.

Lord Bach: The two groups comprise 53,409 Gulf veterans and 53,143 Era personnel. Both groups are slightly smaller than those identified by researchers at the University of Manchester for their work on Gulf veterans' mortality published in the Lancet on 1 July 2000 (Volume 356, No. 9223, pages 17–21). This is because subsequent analysis revealed that some of those who were included in the University of Manchester study (Gulf 53,416, Era 53,450) were not eligible for the study. According to the Ministry of Defence data, as at 31 December 2001, the number of Gulf veterans who had died due to external causes of injury and poisoning was 316 compared to 270 in the Era group. Of these, 97 Gulf veteran and 90 Era deaths were due to suicide and injury, undetermined whether or not accidental. The MoD is exploring the possible cause of the excess in respect of transport and vehicle accident deaths among the Gulf group and will make the results known when available.

Gulf War Veterans

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many British sevicemen and women, deployed to the Gulf in 1990–91, were inoculated against anthrax; and whether any of these servicemen and women were exposed during their Gulf service to anthrax or other biological weapons.

Lord Bach: The Ministry of Defence has identified 53,462 UK service personnel who deployed to a state in the Gulf region at some time between 1 September 1990 and 30 June 1991. The precise number who received an anthrax immunisation is not known but it is estimated that over 75 per cent of all UK service personnel deployed to the Gulf at that time are likely to have had one anthrax immunisation and in many units this approached 100 per cent. Uptake of the second anthrax immunisation was less and varied between and within formations. Uptake of the third anthrax immunisation was rare. Our assessment is that none of the UK service personnel deployed was subject to attack by, or exposed to, biological warfare agents, including anthrax, during the Gulf Conflict.

UK Troops: Chemical and Biological Protection

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the extent of the inoculation programme and other programmes being taken to protect the United Kingdom's troops against chemical and biological attacks while they are serving in Afghanistan.

Lord Bach: Immunisation is one part of a package of capabilities which protect our troops and enable them to respond effectively to chemical and biological threats. This package includes detection capabilities, protective clothing and equipment, decontamination procedures, other medical countermeasures and training. The immunisation currently available to protect UK service personnel against exposure to biological warfare agents is a voluntary immunisation programme against anthrax. This is offered to specific units of our Armed Forces on the basis of an assessment of the threat they face, which in turn depends on their deployment and role. Currently the programme includes personnel deployed to the Gulf and in specialist NBC units. We continually review whether it is appropriate to offer immunisation against anthrax to personnel who may be involved in other deployments as part of their wider package of protective measures against chemical or biological attack.

Defence Stores Management

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are experiencing any difficulties with the defence stores management system project; and, if so, what.

Lord Bach: The defence stores management solution aims to improve processes and rationalise current Ministry of Defence systems to improve inventory management through better visibility across the entire supply chain. Development work on a possible solution to this requirement has been suspended pending the outcome of the annual review of the forward defence programme, and the opportunity is being taken to conduct a reappraisal of the options for meeting the requirement.

Defence Stores Management

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the projected financial savings arising from the first five years of operating the defence stores management system.

Lord Bach: Latest assessments of the originally planned defence stores management system (DSMS) programme showed anticipated benefits of some £1.3 billion within 10 years of its initial approval in November 2000, with roll-out of DSMS being completed in 2006 across all three services and into deployed units and ships. However, in line with the Ministry of Defence's regular annual review of the forward programme, we are taking the opportunity to reappraise the options for meeting the military requirement for DSMS.

Defence Stores Management

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the expenditure to date on the defence stores management system.

Lord Bach: Expenditure on the defence stores management system to date is £120 million.

Defence Stores Management

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the National Audit Office has examined the defence stores management system project.

Lord Bach: The National Audit Office has examined the defence stores management system to ensure that the solution is compatible with accounting requirements but not the project itself.

Small Arms Exports to Africa

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the total value of authorised British exports of small arms and ammunition to African countries in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what is their estimate of the total for the subsequent year.

Lord Bach: Information on the number of weapons and small arms exported from the UK each year is published in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls.
	A total value for ammunition, weapons and small arms exported from the UK to African countries, derived from data provided by HM Customs and Excise, is presented in the table below:
	
		
			 Year (1 January–31 December) Total value (£ m)(1) 
			 1998 2.46 
			 1999 0.66 
			 2000 0.39 
		
	
	(1) The figures represent the total value of goods exported under selected HM Customs and Excise tariff codes covering military weapons (including items such as artillery weapons, rifles, carbines and other projectile weapons), revolvers and pistols, cartridges and parts of military weapons. It is not possible, under the tariff code system, to distinguish the value of small arms from that of items such as artillery weapons. Therefore, the actual value of small arms and ammunition exported as likely to be less than show in the above table.
	Values for 2001 will be derived from data in the annual report, which has not yet been collated.

Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Where the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition will take place in September; whether the Defence Export Services Organisation and Trade Partners UK will be taking part; and what will be the total costs (including sponsorships for commercial companies) to public funds.

Lord Bach: The Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition will take place in Pretoria, South Africa between 18 and 22 September 2002. Such events provide an effective facility for the UK defence industry to demonstrate the range of its products to potential overseas customers. They also enable companies responsible for equipping our Armed Forces to see the capabilities and products of other nations' defence industries.
	The Defence Export Services Organisation, which has prime responsibility for co-ordinating government support for the promotion of legitimate defence exports, will be taking an active part in the exhibition.
	Trade Partners UK's role will be to provide funding in the form of grants to UK companies attending the event.
	The costs to be met by public funds will not be known until nearer the event.

Small Arms Export Contracts

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they require contracts for the export of British small arms and light weapons to be conditional on importing states destroying equivalent quantities of old or obsolete weapons.

Lord Bach: There is no such requirement. However, under the programme of action agreed at the UN Conference on Small Arms in July 2001, the UK is spending £19.5 million over three years on practical projects to support its national, regional and global implementation. An important element of this is weapons collection and destruction programmes, often as part of country or regional action plans. The UK, for example, is providing £7.5 million for the UN Development Programme's Weapons Collection, Management and Destruction Programme.

Armed Forces Pay Increase

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the £0.2 billion which was added to the defence budget will be used to fund the recent pay increase for the Armed Forces; and, if not, whether additional funds will be allocated to the Ministry of Defence to cover these costs.

Lord Bach: The cost of the recently announced Armed Forces Pay Review Body award will be contained within the existing departmental expenditure limits.

Military Field Training Exercises

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Army brigades completed full field training exercises with all their units in 2000 and 2001 respectively; and whether their infantry battalions and armoured regiments took part in these exercises with their full complement of companies and squadrons; and, if not, what was the reason for their non-participation.

Lord Bach: In 2000, one Army brigade deployed at full complement to carry out full field training exercises; 20 Armoured Brigade, based in Germany, deployed to Poland and 16 Air Assault Brigade completed a full field training exercise in the UK with a number of its units, including one of its three parachute battalions. It is usual for 16 Air Assault Brigade to deploy with only one battalion: this is due to its unique role, composition and readiness profile. One mechanized brigade was unable to complete a full field training exercise due to operational commitments, but some of its armoured regiments and infantry battalions took part in Exercise Iron Hawk in Canada.
	Last year, 12 Mechanized Brigade completed a full field training exercise in Canada with all its units at full complement; 4 Armoured Brigade deployed to Oman on Exercise Saif Sareea II, with two out of its three battalions, the third being deployed on operations in Kosovo. Once again, 16 Air Assault Brigade completed a full field training exercise in the UK, with one of its infantry battalions at full complement.

Military Field Training Exercises

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many regiments and battalions carried out full-scale regimental field training exercises in 2000 and 2001 with their full complement of squadrons and companies; and what were the reasons given by any that did not participate.

Lord Bach: I assume that by referring to regiments and battalions the noble Lord is inquiring about infantry and Royal Armoured Corps units. In 2000, a total of 18 regiments and battalions carried out full-scale regimental field training exercises with their full complement of squadrons and companies. In addition, one infantry battalion exercised without one of its companies due to undermanning and one armoured regiment exercised without one of its squadrons which was deployed on operations in Bosnia.
	In 2001, 21 regiments and battalions carried out full-scale regimental field training exercises, and one armoured regiment exercised without one of its squadrons, which was deployed on operations in Kosovo.

EU-led Military Operations: Capability Targets

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which of the 104 capability requirements have now been met by European Union member states for the European rapid reaction force; and which are the remaining 40 capabilities which have yet to be achieved.

Lord Bach: EU member states have identified a pool of forces from which units could be drawn as necessary for EU-led operations. Forces would only be assembled for the duration of the mission. There is no standing European rapid reaction force.
	Contributions from EU members have so far met 104 of the 144 capability targets and work is under way to address the remaining targets through the European Capabilities Action Plan. A list of the outstanding shortfalls is attached, although only about half of these are regarded as significant.
	Shortfalls
	Air to Air Refuelling
	Attack Helicopter
	BDA (Operational Level)
	Carrier Based Air Power
	Civil Military Co-operation
	Combat Search And Rescue
	Cruise Missiles & Precision Guided Munitions
	Deployable Communication Modules
	Early Warning and Distant Detection Strategic Level
	General Cargo Aircraft
	General Cargo Shipping
	General Maintenance Engineering
	General Support Engineering
	General Support Logistics
	Headquarters (OHQ, FHQ, CCHQ) & Augmentees
	Light Infantry Brigade HQ & Augmentees
	Light/medium Armoured Companies
	Maritime Medical Evacuation Units
	Medical Collective Protection Role 3
	Medical Role 3
	Military Intelligence Units
	Military Police
	Multinational Joint Logistic Centre & Augmentees
	NBC
	Out Sized Transport Aircraft
	Press Info Group
	PSYOPS
	Recovery/Maintenance
	RO-RO
	Special Operations Forces
	Strategic ISR IMINT Collection
	Strategic ISR SIGINT Collection
	Support Helicopters
	Suppression of Enemy Air Defence
	Surveillance and Target Acquisition/Unmanned Air Vehicles
	Surveillance and Target Acquisition Units
	Theatre Ballistic Missile Defense
	Theatre Surveillance and Reconnaissance & Air Picture
	Theatre Surveillance and Reconnaissance & Ground Picture
	Transport Units
	Key
	
		
			   
			 Acronym Explanation 
			 BDA Battle Damage Assessment 
			 CCHQ Component Command Headquarters 
			 FHQ Force Headquarters 
			 HQ Headquarters 
			 IMINT Imagery Intelligence 
			 ISR Intelligence Surveillance and  Reconnaissance 
			 MN Multinational 
			 NBC Nuclear Biological Chemical 
			 OHQ Operation Headquarters 
			 PSYOPS Psychological operations 
			 RO-RO Roll On—Roll Off 
			 SIGINT Signal Intelligence

A400M Airbus

Lord Vivian: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the planned costs of the A400M airbus are the subject of a fixed contract; and, if not, how any increase in costs will be covered.

Lord Bach: The contract with Airbus Military for the development and production of the A400M aircraft will be based on fixed prices and therefore subject to variation in line with agreed indices.

A400M Airbus

Lord Watson of Richmond: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How important the funding of the A400M programme is to the capability and credibility of the European defence and security policy.

Lord Bach: Strategic mobility is an important capability for European military operations. Our plans provide for this to be addressed by a number of programmes, including the A400M. In the near-term, capability improvement in this area relies on measures such as the UK C-17 lease and the European Air Group burden sharing arrangements. The A400M, with a planned in-service date of 2010, would fulfil a longer-term need.

Air Force Act 1955

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the latest date by which the Air Force Act 1955 needs to be extended by means of an affirmative resolution of both Houses of Parliament.

Lord Bach: Section 1 of the Armed Forces Act 2001 provides for the Air Force Act 1955 (together with the Army Act 1955 and the Naval Discipline Act 1957, the three being known as the service discipline Acts) to continue in force in the first instance until 31 August 2002. An Order in Council, approved in draft by both Houses of Parliament, will therefore be necessary by that date to enable the service discipline Acts to remain in force for a further 12 months.

Strategic Health Authorities

Lord Smith of Leigh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the new strategic health authorities will be expected to consult locally relating to the importance of the health economy to their local areas.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Health improvement and modernisation plans will be drawn up by primary care trusts in consultation with frontline staff, local communities and partners. Strategic health authority chief executives in developing their three-year franchise plans will be required to demonstrate how they will involve local communities and how their authority will secure their delivery.

National Health Service Quarterly Review

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the National Health Service Quarterly Review for the period July to September 2001.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The National Health Service Quarterly Review for the period July to September 2001 was published on Friday 8 February 2002. Copies have been placed in the Library. It can also be found on the Department of Health's website at the following address: www.doh.gov.uk/nhs quarterlyreview.

Meat Import Checks: Funding

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 16 January (WA 158), what sums have been provided by the Food Standards Agency to each local authority for checking meat imports: (a) in the current financial year; and (b) in each of the past three financial years.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The previous reply of 16 January described the provision of Food Standards Agency funds to local authorities for an enforcement programme for animal feed including imports. The position differs for meat imports for food use. The Food Standards Agency does not provide funds to local authorities for checking such meat imports.
	Imports of meat to the United Kingdom from outside the European Union must enter the UK through designated border inspection posts (BIPs). BIPs are the responsibility of the relevant local authorities. The costs of the inspections at the BIPs are charged to importers.
	Imports of meat from other member states of the EU are part of the European single market, and are not subject to border controls. But they are subject to checks by the Meat Hygiene Service (or the equivalent in Northern Ireland) upon arrival at licensed meat plants within the UK. The costs of these checks fall on the Food Standards Agency.
	The costs of local authority checks on meat, including meat imports after they have entered the UK through a BIP, fall to the local authority.

NHS Patients: Overseas Treatment

Lord McColl of Dulwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) whether they will publish the total costs including travel and accommodation for those National Health Service patients and their relatives who have been sent to France for their operation;
	(b) how these costs compare with United Kingdom private hospital costs bearing in mind that patients with cataracts are treated as day cases in the United Kingdom; and
	(c) whether they use a best value analysis.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The precise costs of the National Health Service-funded operations purchased in Lille are commercially confidential. The three pilot sites involved in the test bed exercise have a total of £1.1 million available for treatment costs. Depending on casemix this will fund 200 to 250 procedures.
	Direct comparisions of the costs of overseas treatment and NHS costs are not straightforward; for example, prices agreed so far for hip and knee replacements include intensive rehabilitation which would not be included in standard NHS reference costs. In general the prices agreed so far for treatment overseas are in excess of NHS average reference costs but comparable to those in the United Kingdom private sector. However, we would expect better prices if and when we commit to larger volumes of patients travelling overseas to individual hospitals.
	We will look for high standards of care and value for money in assessing future offers of overseas treatment for NHS patients.

vCJD Cases

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 23 January (WA 211–12), why the list contains no cases of vCJD where the victim is still alive; and, if there are such people, what were the dates of onset of their condition.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The table of dates supplied in response to the earlier Written Question contained those cases where vCJD had been confirmed by neuro-pathology or where post mortem confirmation would never be possible, and the cases had therefore been classified as "probable" on other criteria.
	As at Monday 7 January 2002, there are 9 patients diagnosed as having "probable" vCJD who are still alive, their dates of onset are, in chronological order:
	October 1999
	December 1999
	October 2000 (two cases)
	November 2000
	December 2000 (three cases)
	April 2001

Acute Hospital Beds: Delayed Discharge

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What number and proportion of people over state retirement age were in hospital in 2001 for more than six weeks because of delayed discharge.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: This information is not collected in the detail requested. In September 2001 (the most recent data available) there were 2,789 patients of all ages occupying an "acute" hospital bed who had had their discharge delayed by 28 days or over. This is 2.6 per cent of the people who are in hospital at any one time.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the document Consideration of possible changes to the social security system as it affects claimants with CFS/ME, a working paper prepared on behalf of the Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis by N Wayne and A J Pinching, was not included among the documents released by the working group.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The document was developed by the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis independent working group as one of its working papers. This paper was outside the working group's terms of reference and therefore was not commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer and has no formal status. It has however been passed to the Department of Works and Pensions.

NHS Hospital Stays

Baroness Barker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many men under 65 and women under 60 stay in hospital for: (a) over four weeks; (b) over six weeks; and (c) over 52 weeks; and at what daily cost; and
	How many men over 65 and women over 60 stay in hospital: (a) over four weeks; (b) over six weeks; and (c) over 52 weeks; and at what daily cost.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The following tables show the lengths of stay for admissions by sex for men under or over 65 and women under or over 60. The information is for National Health Service hospitals in England for the year 2000–01.
	
		Table 1a: Lengths of stay (Finished Provider Spell*) for men
		
			  Under 65 65 and over 
			 Over 4 weeks 56,791 88,735 
			 Over 6 weeks 33,992 48,880 
			 Over 52 weeks 2,461 926 
		
	
	
		Table 1b: Lengths of stay (Finished Provider Spell*) for women
		
			  Under 60 60 and over 
			 Over 4 weeks 43,564 158,994 
			 Over 6 weeks 25,525 91,648 
			 Over 52 weeks 1,839 1,670 
		
	
	* A Finished Provider Spell is defined as a period of in-patient care within one healthcare provider that commences with the patients' admission and ends on the date of discharge.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.
	The average cost of an inpatient hospital bed day is estimated at £233 (Source: Trust Financial Returns National Summaries 1999–2000).

Hospital Patients: Laundry Services

Baroness Barker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated average daily cost of laundry for a hospital patient.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Costs for laundry services are not broken down in various patient groups (eg. in-patients, day cases, out-patient attendances, accident and emergency attendances etc.). The average daily total cost of laundry per occupied in-patient bed is £2.69, based on current 2000–01 figures available.

NHS Information Standards Boards

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give details of the four boards set up to oversee the development of standards in several key areas of National Health Service information systems, including their membership, terms of reference, and the date or dates on which they are asked to report; and whether their reports will be published.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Information for Health strategy emphasised the need for agreed mechanisms for information standards. To meet this need, the Department of Health has established the NHS Information Standards Board (ISB) to approve information standards with representatives from the NHS and industry to agree the requirement for a standard, approve the standard and disseminate information about the standard.
	The main board is the decision-making body and will formally approve new standards, and all amendments to existing standards. However, substantial input is required from three specialist sub-boards to enable the Information Standards Board to function effectively. These are the Clinical Information Standards Board, the Management Information Standards Board and the Technical Information Standards Board. These sub-boards consult widely on all draft standards.
	Further details relating to the National Health Service Information Standards Boards are contained on their web-site: www.isb.nhs.uk. This includes terms of reference, membership and dates of meetings and published outputs.

NHS Numbers

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they consider it impracticable to make mandatory the use of the National Health Service patient number as a common identifier, as recommended by the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology in its Report, Human Genetic databases; challenges and opportunities (4th Report, Session 2000-01 HL Paper 57).

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The information strategy for the National Health Service Information for Health (1998) and the more recent update Building the Information Core: Implementing the NHS Plan (2001) both explain the importance of the NHS number. The latter document included a number of specific targets relating to the use of the NHS number in clinical communications.
	Full usage is dependent upon specific national initiatives, including the allocation of NHS numbers to babies at birth, and full provision of details through the NHS Strategic Tracing Service (NSTS). The NSTS is a managed service operated by SchlumergerSema to NHS organisations. It provides a secure database of all people born, or who have been registered with a general practitioner, in England and Wales and is the authoritative source of NHS numbers.

Chiropodists and Podiatrists

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many individuals declared chiropody or podiatry to be their main occupation at the latest date for which figures are available.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The latest available figures from the 1991 census estimated that 8,600 persons had declared chiropody to be their main occupation. There is no separate listing for podiatrists.

NHS Waiting Lists

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Department of Health has completed its review of the 13 National Health Service trusts referred in the National Audit Office report Inappropriate adjustments to waiting lists as having more than 10 per cent of patients suspended and more than 2 per cent of patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment; and whether they will publish the findings of the review.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The National Audit Office (NAO) report highlighted important issues, which the Department of Health is taking very seriously. The department is currently looking at the management of waiting lists in the 13 trusts named in the NAO report.
	Any manager found to have deliberately distorted waiting figures will face dismissal on grounds of gross misconduct. This will be supported by a new code of conduct for National Health Service managers. Anyone who breaches that code of conduct will not be re-employed as a manager anywhere in the NHS. Any action taken as a result of these reviews will be publicly available.

NHS Plan: Booking Systems

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to the information management and technology changes required to support the target that all patients and their general practitioners will be able to book hospital appointments at both a time and a place that is convenient to the patient:
	(a) what is the status of the project;
	(b) when they expect to give final approval;
	(c) how much implementation will cost, analysed between hardware, software and other costs;
	(d) in which years expenditure is expected to take place; and
	(e) whether ring-fenced monies will be made available to the National Health Service trusts to meet the expenditure; and
	How they reconcile the target that 100 per cent of bookings of patients from general practitioners to out-patients departments, or from out-patients to day-case or in-patients' departments, should be made electronically as contained in Building the Information Core—Implementing the NHS Plan with the statement in the addendum to paragraph 6 of the executive summary of the outline business case for electronic booking systems that "there is no specific target for 100 per cent electronic booking; and
	Whether they regard the booking of hospital appointments by telephone as being made electronically for the purposes of the target set out in Building the Information Core—Implementing the NHS Plan; and, if so, how much of 100 per cent target they expect to be met by telephone bookings.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The NHS Plan targets for booked admissions are: two-thirds of all out-patient appointments and in-patient elective admissions will be pre-booked by 31 March 2004; 100 per cent out-patient appointments and in-patient elective admissions will be pre-booked by 31 December 2005.
	The NHS Plan also says there will be electronic booking of appointments for patient treatment by 31 December 2005. There is no target for 100 per cent electronic booking by 2005, although it is clear that a high level of electronic booking will be essential to meet the NHS Plan targets. The wording in Building the Information Core: Implementing the NHS Plan is intended to reflect this aim, not to create an additional target to those in the NHS Plan.
	An outline business case (OBC) for electronic booking systems has been completed. Further business cases will be completed as the project progresses beginning with the procurement business case. The proposed approach to procurement is to use the NHScat–IT catalogue to list services and products that can be "called off" by local health communities as they implement local transaction broking solutions. Plans are that a catalogue of implementation services will be in place by autumn 2002, with hardware and software products in the catalogue by winter of 2002.
	The OBC proposes a framework for implementing electronic booking systems. The framework was developed in consultation with stakeholders. It is based around local health communities, not individual trusts, and will allow them to implement locally based solutions within a consistent common national framework. It builds on the national information and IT infrastructure. The OBC can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/nhsplanbookingsystems/. A copy has been placed in the Library.
	Estimated costs are included in the OBC. Funding for 2003–04 will be mainly included in general allocations. However some funding will be met centrally. The method for issuing funding in future years will be determined in due course.
	The proposed framework for electronic booking includes a booking management service component. This is a call centre-based service linked with NHS Direct. It will support patients and healthcare professionals in making, amending and cancelling appointments on a 24-hour, seven days per week basis. This will also provide a convenient and flexible way for patients to book their appointments. Bookings made via a call centre will be booked electronically by the call centre with the relevant provider, using the same sort of computer systems as support direct booking by general practitioners.

NHS Patient Transport

Baroness Barker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they plan to issue new and revised guidance on non-emergency patient transport, to replace that issued in 1991; and what such guidance will include.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Provision of non-emergency patient transport is a matter for commissioners to meet local needs. The national guidance produced in 1991 is currently being reviewed.

NHS Patient Transport

Baroness Barker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What guidance they will issue in respect of pooled budgets (as provided for in Section 31 of the Health Act 1999) for commissioning effective local transport services for different kinds of health and social care need.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Health service circular 2000/010 and local authority circular (2000)9 (issued on 27 March 2000) provided information about use of partnership arrangements under Section 31 of the Health Act 1999. These circulars detailed how services could be improved through pooled funds and the delegation of functions, including the lead commissioning of local transport services for different kinds of health and social care need.

NHS Patient Transport

Baroness Barker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the responsibilities of primary care trusts for commissioning non-emergency patient transport, subject to legislation being passed to abolish health authorities.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Primary care trusts currently do not have responsibility for commissioning non-emergency patient transport and there are no provisions in the current National Health Service Reform and Healthcare Professions Bill to allow this. The Government will keep this under review.

NHS Patient Transport

Baroness Barker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to include a transport standard as a measure of patient outcomes in the National Health Service Performance Assessment Framework.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Performance measures for ambulance trusts are currently under development. We plan to publish these in the summer, as part of the performance ratings for all National Health Service organisations.

Haemophilia Patients and vCJD

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many haemophilia patients, in the course of their National Health Service treatment, have to date received blood from donors who subsequently died of vCJD.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: No information is held centrally on the number of patients with haemophilia who received blood from donors who have since died from vCJD.

Haemophilia Patients and vCJD

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What screening test for vCJD is available to assure haemophilia patients that they are not being exposed to risk by the prescription of plasma and not recombinant products.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There is no screening test available for vCJD. The Government are supporting a number of avenues of research into a diagnostic test for vCJD to enable a screening test to be developed for blood donations.
	We have already taken action to reduce the theoretical risk of transferring vCJD through blood and blood products. As a precautionary measure all blood used for transfusion has had the white cells removed and we no longer use United Kingdom plasma in the manufacture of blood products.

Department of Health: Departmental Expenditure and Administration Cost Limits

Baroness Turner of Camden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there are any proposals to amend the Department of Health departmental expenditure limit and administration cost limit for 2001–02.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Department of Health departmental expenditure limit (DEL) will be increased by £231,363,000 from £50,573,402,000 to £50,804,765,000. This includes a change in the administration cost limit which will decrease by £3,584,000 from £321,935,000 to £318,351,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are set out in the following table:
	
		£'000s 
		
			 Resources Capital 
			 Change New DEL Of which voted Non-voted Change New DEL Of which voted Non-voted 
			 538,562 48,872,673 49,364,233 -491,560 -307,199 1,932,092 483,499 1,448,593 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from the take-up of end year flexibility £120,000,000 for health authority allocations as set out in Table 6 of the Public Expenditure 2000–01 provisional outturn White Paper Cm 5243 published in July 2001; a claim of £30,000,000 on the reserve for variant CJD compensation; an additional £6,267,000 from HM Treasury as a result of technical adjustments following changes in accounting arrangements for some PFI schemes; a net transfer to the National Assembly for Wales of £2,493,000, £3,683,000 for out-of-area treatment costs, dental service increment for teaching, cross border flows and high security psychiatric services, partially offset by a transfer of £1,190,000 for regional re-costing and post-graduate education; transfers from Northern Ireland totalling £2,030,000, £68,000 for post-graduate training, £1,941,000 for out-of-area treatment costs and £21,000 (of which £7,000 administration costs) for contributions to committees and non-departmental public bodies; transfer to the Home Office of £1,569,000, £2,767,000 for drug action teams and match funded social care projects, offset by £1,098,000 for costs arising from the Victoria Climbie inquiry and £100,000 for medium secure units; a net transfer to the Department for Education and Skills of £613,000, comprising £750,000 for the National Institute of Psychiatry and £100,000 for a learning and development website package, offset by a transfer of £237,000 for the costs of Protection of Children Act tribunal and Care Standards tribunal; transfer to the Lord Chancellor's Department of £164,000, (of which £123,000 administration costs) for Care Standards tribunals and Family Health Services Appeals Authority recruitment; a transfer to the Department for Work and Pensions of £1,095,000 for the road traffic accidents work of the Compensation Recovery Unit; a transfer from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions of £80,000,000 for building care capacity offset by £1,000,000, for the Rough Sleepers' Unit.
	The administration cost limit has decreased by £3,584,000 from £321,935,000 to £318,351,000. In addition to the changes detailed above there is an increase of £2,290,000, mainly for education and training and the Modernisation Agency, offset by £5,758,000, for capitalised in house software developments and other IT software and hardware.
	The increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers and the planned total of public claim on the reserve, and will not therefore add to expenditure.

Great Heck Road/Rail Accident: Reports

Baroness Thornton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the reports will be made available of the working groups set up in response to the road/rail accident at Great Heck, near Selby, on 28 February 2001.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The reports will be published today. Both reports emphasise how rare this accident was and responses to the risks of a similar accident must be measured. The reports of the two groups contain 19 separate recommendations. We have accepted all of them and, in one case, have asked the Highways Agency to adopt the recommended approach more widely and, in another, have asked for the recommended work to be expedited. I must stress how important it is that highway authorities and rail infrastructure providers work together to assess the sites on their networks where vehicles might get on to the rail network and to take what action, if any, they consider necessary to try to prevent this. We commend to them the risk assessment framework prepared by the CSS and Railtrack to prioritise any necessary work at local roads over rail bridges. This framework will be developed to cover other circumstances where vehicles might get on to the rail network.
	We accept the conclusion of the Highways Agency report that there are no serious shortcomings in the current standards for safety barriers, but nevertheless commend its plans to convene a technical project board to take forward any necessary changes to barrier standards for national roads. We welcome the recommendation of the working group for a clearer and more open procedure for updating the standards relating to safety barriers and have asked the agency to adopt this more open approach for all standards.
	We have asked that the HSC's recommended timetable for the development of a protocol to apportion responsibility and costs of improvements made at locations where roads meet, cross or run close to railways should be expedited. This is so as not to delay the carrying out of any necessary work. We have, therefore, decided that the protocol should be developed for England by June 2002. We will review the working of this protocol, as recommended by the HSC, once action on the other recommendations is underway. The work necessary to implement the 19 recommendations of the two reports will be steered by the department and we have asked for a report on progress by 25 July 2002.

Thames River Leisure Craft

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What help they are giving to Thames river leisure craft.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government are keen to encourage leisure usage of the Thames by ensuring that guidance and advice through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is made freely available to all users/operators to improve personal safety, safety of craft and safety aspects throughout the Thames. This is in addition to regulatory measures in place.
	The Port of London Authority (PLA), the statutory port authority for the tidal Thames, plays an active role in promoting the safe pursuit of recreational activities on the Thames. It has well developed safety and navigational information aimed at the recreational river user both on its website and in leaflet and booklet form. The PLA also supports a number of events on the river, including local youth events. Leisure users are represented on the PLA's three river users' consultative forums.
	The Millennium Commission has committed over £7 million towards the development of piers. Transport for London is responsible for river passenger services using its own piers. The Mayor for London's transport stategy states that river passenger services will be encouraged.

Air Transport Industry

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on the air transport industry on 14 January (HL Deb, col. 825), what work is being done with international civil aviation organisations; which organisations these are; what reports have been produced so far; and when they will be in a position to initiate a debate on the outcomes of this work.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is the foremost international forum for all aviation issues. Environmental issues are considered by ICAO's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). My department is represented on CAEP and most of its six current working groups. These are looking at ways of limiting noise and gaseous emissions from aircraft by better design and better operating procedures matters, and at ways of incentivising the industry to limit emissions and/or accelerate the introduction of cleaner aircraft by market-based options, such as emissions permit trading, environmental charges and voluntary agreements, for reducing emissions from aviation.
	A composite resolution on ICAO's policies and practices related to environmental protection was unanimously agreed at the 33rd Assembly of ICAO last October. A copy has been placed in the Library. The technical standards agreed by ICAO for limiting noise and emissions from aviation are debated in both Houses when the Government table proposed orders to give them effect in UK legislation. The most recent example is the Air Navigation (Environmental Standards) Order 2002. This was debated in the House of Lords on 14 February.
	In addition, my department participates in consideration of aviation environmental issues in the relevant regional forums of ICAO member states, the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) and, of course in the European Union.

Air Transport Industry

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on the air transport industry on 14 January (HL Deb, col. 825), whether they have initiated any research into reducing emissions from civil aircraft; and, if so, which companies and organisations are involved.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Research on aircraft emissions has been commissioned by several government departments since the early 1990s in support of the UK's call for tougher action within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and International Civil Aviation Organisation. Currently the Government are supporting a number of national projects and UK participation in collaborative international research aimed at understanding and mitigating the effects of aircraft emissions upon the atmosphere and local air quality. These research projects are intended to explore technology options for low emissions combustion; increase understanding of the nature and extent of particle formation in jet engine combustion; narrow the uncertainty regarding the impact of aviation on climate change; examine the possible trade-offs between different pollutants that would arise from potential measures to reduce emissions; contribute to the development of an EU database of global aircraft emissions; establish the feasibility of using carbon isotopes to identify the source of unburned hydrocarbon deposits; and examine the relationship between certificated noise and emissions performance and operational practice.
	Research by the UK aviation industry with government support into the possible scope for biofuels as an alternative to kerosene is also currently under way.
	In addition, two further programmes of research are relevant. One is assessing the impact of climate change on the Upper Troposphere Lower Stratosphere (UTLS). This programme is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and managed by Cambridge University. Some projects in this programme are also concerned with better understanding the potential impact of aviation on the upper atmosphere. The other is the Civil Aviation Research and Demonstration programme (CARAD) which is funded and managed by DTI. Some projects in this programme are concerned with reducing emissions by improved combustion technology.
	In addition to those already mentioned, companies and organisations involved in this research include DEFRA, DTLR, AEA Technology, Aero and Industrial Technology Ltd, BAe Systems, Rolls Royce, TRW Lucas, QinetiQ (formerly part of MoD's Defence Evaluation Research Agency) and Cranfield, Loughborough, Nottingham and Sheffield universities.

West Coast Main Line: EU Funding

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What European Union funding was allocated to the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line during the past five years; and for what purposes.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Over the past five years the West Coast Main Line upgrade has received E55 million of funding from the trans-European transport network budget.
	The funding is being provided for works to allow the running of international passenger trains and inter-modal freight traffic north of London, and works to modernise track and structures to eliminate bottlenecks and increase capacity. The works will include the introduction of a transmission-based control system, a network management centre, upgrading the power supplies and overhead line equipment, replacements of all track on the fast lines between London and Crewe, and resignalling the route.
	The project has also attracted loans from the European Investment Bank.

London Underground PPP

Viscount Astor: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What they regard as a reasonable rate of return for the private sector in the public/private contracts for London Underground.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The best way to ensure that the rate of return achieved under a contract is a reasonable one is for that contract to be let on a fair and competitive basis. London Underground has conducted such a competition for the Tube modernisation contracts. It has also carried out a thorough evaluation of bids to ensure that they represent value for money, not just on the rate of return, but as a whole.

London Underground PPP

Viscount Astor: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the timetable for consultation with the Health and Safety Executive on the public/private partnership proposals for London Underground.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Health and Safety Executive has been involved in consideration of London Underground safety arrangements throughout the development of the plans for a public/private partnership. HSE has accepted a series of revisions to London Underground statutory safety case:
	September 1999—Version 2.0 allowed London Underground to restructure its internal organisation into three infrastructure divisions and an operating division.
	April 2000—Version 2.5 allowed London Underground to establish the infrastructure companies as separate but wholly owned subsidiaries operating in accordance with the PPP contracts.
	December 2001—Version 3.0, covering the same structure as Version 2.5, was accepted in accordance with the new Railway (Safety Case) Regulations 2000. This safety case was implemented by London Underground on 4 February and is currently in force.
	HSE is currently considering a further revision to London Underground's safety case (Version 3.1). This was submitted to HSE on 22 December 2001 and deals with the arrangements for the involvement of the private sector in the modernisation of the Underground. The timing for any acceptance decision is a matter for HSE. The PPP proposals will not proceed unless HSE accepts the revised safety case.

Rough Sleepers: Westminster Cathedral Piazza

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 11 February (WA 126–27), whether they now expect rough sleeping within the piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral to continue indefinitely.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: As stated previously [WA 127 refers] the Government do not set targets to reduce rough sleeping in specific areas such as the piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral. Westminster City Council has the responsibility for both addressing rough sleeping in its borough and the wider daytme street activity issues from which the piazza suffers, such as street drinking.
	The Government's Rough Sleepers' Unit funds voluntary and statutory agencies to help, on a daily basis, those sleeping rough on the piazza. Whether the situation continues is dependent on people taking the help available.

Bus Priority and Punctuality

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the light of traffic congestion and bus operators' punctuality targets, they will suggest to the Traffic Commissioners that, where little is being done to promote buses in the hierarchy of traffic, an officer of the local authority concerned should be summoned before the Traffic Commissioner hearing a complaint about unpunctuality to explain the position.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Traffic Commissioners are responsible for ensuring that bus operators run their local bus services in accordance with the registration, and they can take disciplinary action against them if they do not. While commissioners can take traffic conditions on bus routes into account when determining whether an operator is running reliable services, the allocation of road space is entirely a matter for the local highway authority. Individual authorities are not required to account to the Traffic Commissioners for their policy towards bus priority.
	Our guidance to authorities on local transport plans (LTP) makes clear that proposals for bus priority should be contained within the statutory bus strategy which forms part of the LTP. Each local transport authority is required to consult, among others, local bus operators or organisations representing them when drawing up their bus strategy.

Bus Stops: Parking

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will introduce clearways at marked bus stops prohibiting parking in them by any vehicles at any time.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Decisions on whether to introduce a clearway at any bus stop are, and will remain, the responsibility of the relevant traffic authority in the light of local circumstances. We are considering, in the light of responses to our recent consultation on draft revised traffic signs regulations, whether it is necessary or appropriate to prohibit waiting and loading at any time at marked bus stops where there are no bus services operating overnight.

Bull Bars

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they believe that any bull bar on a road vehicle can be pedestrian-friendly.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Yes. In July 2000 the Transport Research Laboratory published a report of tests they had carried out comparing a range of typical bull bars and base vehicles. They concluded that the deformable bull bars tested had a very low risk of causing serious or life-threatening injuries in impacts with the heads of children. They also found that one of the steel bull bars gave a better test result than the vehicle to which it was attached.

British Museum Act

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are their plans to amend Section 5 of the British Museum Act 1963 relating to the disposal of objects in the collections held by the trustees.

Baroness Blackstone: There are no plans to amend Section 5 of the British Museum Act 1963.

Playing Fields

Lord Graham of Edmonton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the number and acreage of (a) school and (b) public playing fields which have had their use changed in each year since 1980; and whether any forecast has been prepared for similar change of use in coming years.

Baroness Blackstone: Information on the acreage of public playing fields which have changed their use since 1980 is not available. Sport England does, however, monitor the number of planning applications concerning playing fields in its role as statutory consultee.
	The amendment to Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act in October 1998 was brought in to halt the policy of forcing schools to sell off playing fields. Local authorities and state schools now need to ask consent for the sale of school playing fields from my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (DfES). In making her decision my right honourable friend will take into account a number of criteria, including consultation with the community and user groups, whether the proceeds will be used for education or used to enhance sports provision and whether the remaining playing fields fully meet the needs of local schools and the communities.
	My right honourable friend gave approval for: six applications to dispose of or change the use of 109,345 square metres of school playing fields in England in 1998; 37 applications to dispose of or change the use of 540,300 square metres in 1999; 28 applications to dispose of or change the use of 351,394 square metres in 2000; 27 applications to dispose of or change the use of 401,705 square metres in 2001; and five applications to dispose of or change the use of 90,500 square metres in 2001. Of these approved applications, over one-third were in respect of sports pitches at closed or closing schools. In over one-half of cases at operating schools, the sale proceeds have been used to provide new or enhanced sports facilities, including sports halls, all-weather pitches or improved grass pitches.
	No forecasts have been prepared for similar change of use in coming years. Figures show that local education authorities are now only submitting applications to dispose of or change the use of school playing fields which meet DfES's criteria.

Gibraltar

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the invitation to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to participate in the talks in Gibraltar about its future between Britain and Spain will allow him to have a voice on any decisions which may be reached.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: At the Brussels Process ministerial meeting held in London on 4 February my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Spanish Foreign Minister reiterated their invitation for the Chief Minister to participate in future meetings under the Brussels Process, on the basis of the Two Flags Three Voices formula with his own and distinct voice as part of the British delegation.

TRIPS Agreement

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the benefits to developing countries of including plant and genetic resources in the Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The TRIPS Agreement requires World Trade Organisation members to make patents available for new inventions in all fields of technology. However, it allows members to exclude plants and animals from patenting, although new plant varieties must be protected.
	Without the protection that patents and other intellectual property rights offer, companies may not invest in the development of products, such as disease or drought resistant crops, which could be of benefit in poorer countries. TRIPS-compliant intellectual property systems in developing countries will encourage western companies to share their technologies there and to undertake research and development into products with specific benefits for such countries.

End-of-Life Vehicles: EU Directive

Baroness Ludford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they are implementing European Union Directive 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles; and what the arrangements will be for meeting the cost of dealing with end-of-life vehicles between the implementation of the directive and the date at which the manufactures become liable.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The DTI's consultation paper on options for implementing the directive stimulated 116 responses. These are being assessed, along with the conclusions and recommendations of the Trade and Industry Committee, with a view to adopting the approach which best suits the UK's circumstances. Our policy is to implement with a light regulatory touch, achieving the environmental objectives of the directive without putting UK business at a competitive disadvantage. Under the directive, producers are required to pay all or a significant part of the costs of take-back and treatment of no or negative value end-of-life vehicles from 1 January 2007 onwards. A decision on who will pay before this date will be made shortly.

Electrical Waste: EU Directive

Baroness Ludford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What their position is with regard to the draft waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) directive; and what arrangements they envisage for its implementation and for meeting the cost of disposal.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government fully support the aims and objectives of the directive which should help us meet national goals set out in the waste strategies.
	We are continuing to consult stakeholders to help develop options for implementation. Final implementation arrangements cannot be considered until the directive is finalised.
	The current drafts of the directive state clearly that producers are to be responsible for the costs of disposal of equipment when it reaches the end of its life.

Export Licences: Sniper Rifles

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether export licences have been applied for the export of L115A sniper rifles to Russia; if so, when; and whether any such licences have been granted or refused.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The number of export licence applications issued and refused, including those for sniper rifles to Russia, are published in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls. Copies of the 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 annual reports are available in the Libraries of the House. The 2001 Annual Report will be published as soon as possible.
	Information on licence for particular sniper rifles is commercially confidential and is exempt from disclosure under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

DTI Strategy Board

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any businessmen or persons with a background or training in industry have been appointed in any capacity to work or advise in the Department of Trade and Industry in relation to the Secretary of State's announcements of 22 November 2001; if so, what are their identities, their functions, and their terms and dates of appointment; whether any of such persons have functions or responsibilities that touch on the work of the employment tribunals or the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service or other core services; and whether any representatives of employees or trade unions have been appointed with similar functions.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: There have, as yet, been no appointments made in relation to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's announcement of 22 November 2001.
	The independent member appointments to the new strategy board are currently advertised on the department's website, which includes an information pack containing details of the full appointment procedure, the job and person specification and how to apply. The information pack also explains the process of appointing independent members to an executive board, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, and to other boards across the department. The final appointments will be announced during May.

Equality Directives

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, when giving effect to European Union equality directives, they will use primary legislation rather than subordinate legislation enacted under Section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 so as to secure greater coherence in the scope and content of the United Kingdom anti-discrimination legislation.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Two directives relating to equality have yet to be implemented: the Race Directive (2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000) and the Employment Directive (2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000).
	The Government intend, where practicable, to implement these directives using regulations under Section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972. This will help to manage the process of implementation in a way which allows sufficient time for consultation and preparation without missing deadlines for implementation agreed with our European partners. This and other proposals for implementing the Race and Employment Directives were set out in Towards Equality and Diversity, published on 13 December 2002.

EU E-Commerce Directive

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their revised timetable for the implementation of the European Union E-Commerce Directive, given that the January 2002 deadline was missed.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Minister for E-Commerce announced by press notice dated 14 December 2001 that the Department of Trade and Industry would publish and consult on draft regulations early this year and that the Government expected to implement the directive during the summer. The need for further consultation was clearly identified as the best course for business and consumer confidence by those who responded to the initial consultation on implementation and reflects the Government's commitment to making the UK the best place in the world to do e-business. The UK is not alone in this approach; most other member states recognise the importance of putting in place the right legal framework for e-commerce and are therefore working to a similar timescale.

Broadband Strategy

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to ensure broadband connectivity in rural areas.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The government broadband strategy can be found in the second annual UK Online report and sets out a number of measures to stimulate broadband supply in areas without coverage.

State Retirement Pension: Entitlement

Baroness Barker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will estimate for each year since 1992 the number and percentage of retired men and women who
	(a) possess an entitlement to a full state retirement pension in their own right;
	(b) possess an entitlement to a reduced state retirement pension in their own right;
	(c) are dependent on their partner for entitlement; and
	(d) have no entitlement.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The information requested is available in the appropriate format for 1997 onwards only.
	
		Thousands 
		
			  People with entitlement to a full Basic State Pension in their own right (1) Percentage of population People with entitlement to a reduced Basic State Pension in their own right (1) Percentage of population People that are dependent on their partner for entitlement (2) Percentage of population No entitlement to Basic State Pension Percentage of population 
			 31 March 01 All 4,210.9 40.0% 1,219.9 11.6% 4,657.5 44.2% 442.0 4.2% 
			 Men 3,375.1 89.2% 316.0 8.3% 59.1 1.6% 35.5 0.9% 
			 Women 835.7 12.4% 903.9 13.4% 4,598.4 68.2% 406.5 6.0% 
			  
			 31 March 00 All 4,206.4 40.1% 1,154.1 11.0% 4,674.4 44.5% 460.6 4.4% 
			 Men 3,363.6 89.5% 293.0 7.8% 58.4 1.6% 41.0 1.1% 
			 Women 842.8 12.5% 861.1 12.8% 4,616.0 68.5% 419.0 6.2% 
			  
			 31 March 99 All 4,156.0 39.7% 1,098.4 10.5% 4,684.3 44.7% 534.7 5.1% 
			 Men 3,311.7 88.6% 275.7 7.4 58.1 1.6% 90.2 2.4% 
			 Women 844.3 12.5% 822.6 12.2% 4,626.2 68.7% 444.4 6.6% 
			  
			 31 March 98 All 4,128.8 39.6% 1,025.4 9.8% 4,683.4 44.9% 600.9 5.8% 
			 Men 3,267.0 88.1% 249.3 6.7% 59.2 1.6% 134.7 3.6% 
			 Women 861.8 12.8% 776.1 11.5% 4,624.2 68.7% 466.2 6.9% 
			  
			 31 March 97 All 4,075.3 39.1% 964.3 9.3 4,657.3 44.7 722.6 6.9 
			 Men 3,206.7 87.1% 225.6 6.1 60.6 1.6 190.6 5.2 
			 Women 868.6 12.9% 738.8 11.0 4,596.7 68.2 532.0 7.9 
		
	
	Source: Pensions Strategy Computer System at 31 March 1997 to March 2001 based on 5 per cent sample. All 5 per cent samples are subject to sampling error. ONS mid-year population estimates.
	Figures are for Great Britain and rounded to the nearest hundred.
	Definitions:
	(1) Category A pensions only.
	(2) Category AB, B, BL and ABL pensions.